Apparatus for holding a media storage disk having a resilient hub

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for holding a media storage disk that may include a front and base cover connected in a hinged relationship. A base panel of the base cover may include a centrally located hub formed of a high-pressure elastic material capable of elastic deformation when the center hole of the disk is urged over the hub. The hub may have a diameter that is sufficient to create a friction engagement between the circumference of the hub and the inside diameter of the center hole. At least one stem may be provided that extends from the inside of a spine connecting the front and base covers such that the stem will extend just above or abut a portion of the disk&#39;s peripheral edge when the apparatus is closed to hold the disk in place. A plate extending from the inside of the front cover may be provided such that a portion of the plate will extend just above or abut a portion of the disk&#39;s peripheral edge when the apparatus is closed to hold the disk in place. A pair of concentric rings may be provided in the base cover to support portions of the underside of the disk when placed on the hub.

SPECIFIC DATA RELATED TO THE INVENTION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/120,775, filed Apr. 10, 2002 and U.S. provisional application, Serial No. 60/308,173, filed Jul. 27, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to an apparatus for securely retaining a media storage disk such as a compact disk (CD), a digital video disk (DVD), a video compact disk (VCD) or other such planar disks having a centrally disposed aperture. More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus or case that may be used to securely retain and protect a disk for purposes of retail sale, transportation or storage and permits an easy release of the disk for removal from the case.

[0003] Media storage disks have soared in popularity in recent years due to the high demand for portable media capable of storing large volumes of data. Media storage disks typically have large amounts of digitally stored information that may be optically readable through a transparent bottom layer of the disk by a movable head during rotation of the disk. Normal handling and transportation of the disk may result in damage to the bottom layer, which may result in a loss of data and consequently render the contents of the disk unusable resulting in an economic loss to the end user. Consequently, industry has provided a wide range of protective containers for such disks to ensure that they are not damaged during events such as consumers inspecting the container at the point of sale, transportation or storage. Protective containers in common use typically include some form of a pedestal protruding from one cover of the container that will engage the center hole of a disk and keep it in place within the container. Typically the pedestal will grasp the disk in some manner to prevent the disk from moving around while in the container. It is also common to provide a mechanism for allowing the disk to be removed from the grasp of the pedestal so the disk may be removed from the protective container and used. A common aspect of known pedestals and mechanisms for releasing a disk from the pedestal is that when pressure is exerted on the releasing mechanism some force is transferred onto at least a portion of the disk making the disk susceptible to damage. While such forces do not usually subject a disk to acute damage or breakage, repeated removal of a disk from such a mechanism may sufficiently fatigue the disk over time that it may crack and consequently damage some of the stored data. The end user may then have to purchase a replacement disk at the retail cost.

[0004] One very popular use for media storage disks such as DVDs is for storing information representing full-length motion pictures, other entertainment programs or applications software programs represented by a large volume of data stored on a disk. CDs are also extremely popular for distributing music. Many uses for media storage disks, such as those listed above, involve the retail sale or rental of disks through a wide range of distributions channels where a consumer may handle the protective container prior to purchasing or renting. For example, the rental and sale of movies on such disks has exploded in the recent past. One problem confronting the disk rental and sale industry is theft of the disks by removing them from their protective container without opening the container. It has apparently become known that a disk may be released from the pedestal holding the disk in place and that the disk may subsequently be removed from the container by slipping the disk between a front and back cover of the container without actually opening the container.

[0005] In view of the above, it would be advantageous to provide a protective container that could releasably hold a disk where the releasing mechanism minimizes or eliminates the amount of downward force exerted on the disk while being released. It would also be advantageous to provide a protective container designed to prevent a disk from being removed from the container when the disk is accidentally released from the mechanism holding the disk within the container.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] One exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for releasably holding a media storage disk on a centrally located hub where the hub may be substantially cylindrical and be composed of a resilient material. The apparatus may include a base panel within which the hub is situated.

[0007] One exemplary embodiment of the present invention allows for the apparatus to have a front cover and a base cover connected in a hinged relationship by a spine such that the front and base cover may be moved between an open and closed position. The hinged relationship may be formed as an integral part of the apparatus by what is known in the art as “living hinges”, for example. Alternate embodiments may employ a variety of techniques known in the art for creating the hinged relationship between the front and base cover. The base cover may include a resilient hub over which the center hole of a standard media storage disk may be placed so that the disk may be slipped onto the hub and secured within the apparatus. The hub may a substantially cylindrical post made of high-pressure foam, for example, having a constant diameter. Alternate embodiments allow for the hub to be of different shapes or patterns longitudinally, such as a star patter, provided that the circumference of the hub is sufficiently large to hold the disk in place when placed over the hub.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention allows for the hub to be constructed of a resilient, high-pressure material such as that available from LH Eva Supplies Ltd. and referred to as high-pressure EVA pads. The resilient or elastic material allows for the hub to undergo elastic deformation when the center hole of a disk is urged over the top of the hub and slid down on the hub toward the base panel. The outside diameter of the hub may be slightly larger than the inside diameter of the center hole of the disk so that an interference or friction fit is established between the hub and the disk. The hub may undergo elastic deformation caused by the load created when the center hole is urged onto the hub. When the center hole of the disk is initially urged over the top of the hub the diameter of the hub is slightly compressed to allow for the center hole to completely encase the hub. The hub may experience elastic deformation at those points along its longitudinal axis where it engages the center hole of the disk. This allows for the disk and the hub to be under a continuous frictional engagement sufficient to hold the disk in place at any point along the hub's longitudinal axis. Alternate embodiments may have varying shapes, such as an hourglass for example, where the frictional engagement only occurs at certain points along the hub's longitudinal axis such as near the top and base of the hub. One exemplary embodiment allows for a circumferential groove or notch to be formed within the hub so that the center hole of a disk may be seated within the groove or notch. Another embodiment allows for two or more such grooves or notches to be formed along the longitudinal axis of the hub to allow for multiple disks to be held on one hub.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention allows for a means for holding a disk securely in place while the apparatus is in its closed position. In this respect, the means for holding may hold the disk in place while the disk is secured over the hub and/or when the disk is released from the hub but the apparatus is still closed. The means for holding the disk prevents the disk from being removed from the apparatus when the apparatus is closed and may include at least one stem extending substantially perpendicularly from the inside of the spine that connects the front and base cover in hinged relationship. When the apparatus is closed, a distal end of the stem may be situated just above or abut the peripheral edge of the disk. The means for holding may also include a plate extending from an inside edge of the front cover such that when the apparatus is closed a portion of the plate aligns with a portion of the disk's peripheral edge on an opposite side of the disk from the stem. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention the plate may include at least one protuberance extending toward the disk when the apparatus is closed such that the protuberance will be immediately above or abut the peripheral edge of the disk. The stem and plate cooperate to hold the disk in place within the apparatus when closed. Another embodiment may include a plurality of protuberances disposed on the plate that define a radius of curvature corresponding to the radius of curvature of the disk. This feature of the present invention provides a significant advantage over prior art devices, which are susceptible to having disks stolen form the protective containers when closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in its open position; and

[0011]FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with a portion of a front cover broken away to show a media storage disk retained within the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a case 10 for holding a media storage disk in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. Case 10 may include a base cover 12 and a front cover 14 that may be connected via a hinge relationship formed integrally with a spine 20. For example, case 10 may be formed as a unitary structure, such as by injection molding, so that base cover 12 and front cover 14 are connected to spine 20 by virtue of so-called “living hinges”, which may be formed integrally along the length of spine 20 to securely connect covers 12 and 14 with the spine 20 in a hinged relationship. Base cover 12 may include a base panel 16 and front cover 14 may include a front panel 18, both of which may be formed as an integral portion of covers 12 and 14. Covers 12 and 14 may also include a base perimeter edge 22 and a front perimeter edge 24, respectively, that may be formed integrally with covers 12 and 14. Edges 22 and 24 may include a base edge recess portion 26 and a front edge recess portion 28, respectively, each of which may be formed as an integral part of case 10. The base edge recess portion 26 may be formed so that when the case 10 is in its closed position recess portion 26 aligns with the front perimeter edge 24. Similarly, the front edge recess portion 28 may be formed so that when the case 10 is in its closed position recess portion 28 aligns with the base perimeter edge 22. In this respect, the alignment of recess portions 26 and 28 with the edge portions 22 and 24, respectively, provides a rigid perimeter to case 10 when in its closed position.

[0013] In one aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention as further shown in FIG. 1 a centrally located hub 30 may be provided for releasably holding a media storage disk securely in place within case 10. Hub 30 may be formed of a high-pressure elastic material capable of elastic deformation when the center hole of a disk 48 is urged over the hub 30. In one exemplary embodiment hub 30 may be substantially cylindrical and have a diameter in the range of about 15.2 to 15.4 millimeters and a height in the range of about 7.9 to 8.1 millimeters. In one embodiment the hub's 30 diameter is 15.3 millimeters and its height is 8 millimeters. The hub's 30 diameter and height may vary in alternate embodiments. For example, the hub's 30 height may be increased to accommodate more than one disk 48 being placed over the hub. In one alternate embodiment the height of the hub 30 may be between about 6.9 millimeters to 7.1 millimeters and may be 7.0 millimeters. Similarly, the diameter of hub 30 may be larger or smaller as a function of the inside diameter of the center hole of the disk 48 or if used to support other objects having varying inside diameters. In one exemplary embodiment hub 30 may be formed of an elastic material containing a quantity of ethylene vinyl acetate and a quantity of polyethylene. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other materials may be used to form hub 30 provided that a sufficient friction engagement is created between the hub 30 and the center hole of the disk 48.

[0014] A support ring 32 may be provided for making the base panel 16 more rigid and for supporting a portion of a media storage disk when placed in case 10. The support ring 32 may be formed integrally with base panel 16 and may include a stabilizing shoulder 34 adapted to support the peripheral edge of a media storage disk when secured on hub 30. If portions of base and front panels 16 and 18 are squeezed together when case 10 is in its closed position the stabilizing shoulder 34 may support the perimeter of the disk and help to prevent the disk from becoming accidentally dislodged from the hub 30. A finger depression 36 may be provided within the support ring 32 so that an end user may easily grasp the edge of the disk for lifting it off the hub 30. Alternate embodiments may include more than one depression 36. A guide ring 37 may be provided to guide the hub 30 into the base panel 16 during manufacture of case 10 and to support a portion of the underside of the disk 48 when the disk is placed over the hub 30. The height of hub 30 in the exemplary embodiments is measured from the base of the guide ring 37 to the top of the hub 30. An intermediate ring 39 may be formed concentrically with guide ring 37. The intermediate ring 39 may be formed to have a diameter that is greater than the diameter of guide ring 37. Intermediate ring 39 may support a portion of the underside of the disk 48 when the disk is placed over the hub 30. In one embodiment the intermediate ring 39 may have a diameter such that it will only support a portion of the disk's underside that does not contain electronic media. The upper surfaces of guide ring 37, intermediate ring 39 and stabilizing shoulder 34 may be formed to define a plane so that the underside of disk 48 is supported in a plurality of locations. In this respect, the height of guide ring 37, intermediate ring 39 and the stabilizing shoulder 34 from the base panel 16 may be approximately the same and in one exemplary embodiment may be between about 1.5 millimeters to 3.6 millimeters. In alternate embodiments the heights of guide ring 37, intermediate ring 39 and stabilizing shoulder 34 may vary and may be different from one another. In another alternate embodiment either one of the guide ring 37 and intermediate ring 39 may be eliminated or both may be eliminated. The base perimeter edge 22 and front perimeter edge 24 may include finger recess portions 38 for grasping and separating the base cover 12 and front cover 14 to open case 10 and remove a media storage disk. Front cover 14 may also include clips 40 that may be used for retaining promotional or other literature to be included within case 10.

[0015] Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include means for securing the disk within the support ring 32 when the front cover and the base cover are in the closed position. As shown in FIG. 1, the means for securing the disk may include a plate 42 affixed to the front panel 18. Plate 42 may include one or more protuberances 44 adapted to be immediately above or engage the peripheral edge 46 of disk 48 when the case 10 is in its closed position as shown in FIG. 2. The means for securing may also include at least one stem 50 extending substantially perpendicularly from the inside of spine 20 where the distal end 52 of stem 50 is adapted to be immediately above or engage the peripheral edge 46 of disk 48 when the case 10 is in its closed position. The means for securing the disk in this manner is advantageous in that it ensures that the disk 48 is held securely in the case 10 when closed even if the disk 48 becomes inadvertently released from the hub 30. Alternate embodiments of the means for securing the disk, not shown, may include, for example, at least one stem or post extending from the inside of the front panel 18 near the finger recess 38 adapted to engage the peripheral edge 46 of the disk 48 when case 10 is closed. Such stems or posts may also be situated on the inside of front panel 18 in a plurality of locations provided they align with the peripheral edge 46 when case 10 is closed. For example, such posts or stems may be configured as the points of a compass that would be situated immediately above or engage the peripheral edge 46 of the disk 48 when the case 10 is closed. Another embodiment may configure the posts or stems closer together so they would align with the disk 48 close to its center hole, rather than its peripheral edge 46, when the case 10 is closed. If a sufficient configuration of posts or stems extend from the inside of front panel 18 then the stems 50 may not be necessary. Yet another configuration may be a row of posts or stems disposed horizontally and/or vertically on the inside of front cover 18 where, for example, two posts or stems may align with the disk's 48 near its center hole and two may align with its peripheral edge 46. Those skilled in the art may envision a wide range of other variations.

[0016] While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof. 

We claim:
 1. An apparatus for holding a media storage disk comprising: a base panel; and a substantially cylindrical elastic hub disposed within the base panel, the hub having a diameter that is sufficiently larger than an inside diameter of a center hole of the disk so that a friction engagement is established between the hub and the center hole when the disk is urged onto the hub.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a front cover; a base cover, the base panel being disposed within the base cover; a spine connecting the front cover with the base cover in a hinged relationship so that the front cover and base cover are moveable between an open position and a closed position; and means for securing the disk within the apparatus when the front cover and the base cover are in the closed position.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, the means for securing the disk comprising: at least one stem extending substantially perpendicularly from the spine, the at least one stem having a distal end adapted to extend above an upper surface of the disk at a peripheral edge of the disk.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, the means for securing the disk further comprising: at least one plate affixed to the front cover and extending substantially parallel to a planar surface defined by the front cover, the at least one plate adapted to extend above the upper surface of the disk at the peripheral edge of the disk.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, the at least one plate comprising at least one protuberance extending from an upper surface of the at least one plate.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, the at least one plate comprising a plurality of protuberances extending from an upper surface of the at least one plate, the plurality of protuberances defining a radius of curvature that is substantially the same as a radius of curvature defined by a peripheral edge of the disk.
 7. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: a support ring disposed within the base panel; and a stabilizing shoulder disposed within the support ring.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hub has a diameter of between about 15.2 and 15.4 millimeters.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hub has a height of between about 7.9 and 8.1 millimeters.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hub has a height of approximately 8.0 millimeters and a diameter of approximately 15.3 millimeters.
 11. An apparatus for holding a media storage disk comprising: a front cover; a base cover; a spine connecting the front cover and the base cover so that the front cover and the base cover are moveable between an open position and a closed position; a support ring disposed within the base cover; and means for securing the disk within the support ring when the front cover and the base cover are in the closed position.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising: a stabilizing shoulder disposed within the support ring; and the means for securing the disk comprising: at least one stem extending substantially perpendicularly from the spine, the at least one stem having a distal end adapted to extend above an upper surface of the disk at a peripheral edge of the disk when the disk is seated on the stabilizing shoulder.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising: a stabilizing shoulder disposed within the support ring; and the means for securing the disk comprising: at least one plate extending substantially parallel to a planar surface defined by the front cover, the at least one plate adapted to extend above an upper surface of the disk at a peripheral edge of the disk when the disk is seated on the stabilizing shoulder.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, the at least one plate comprising a plurality of protuberances extending from an upper surface of the at least one plate, the plurality of protuberances defining a radius of curvature that is substantially the same as a radius of curvature defined by the disk.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising: a base panel formed within the base cover; and a substantially cylindrical elastic hub disposed within the base panel, the hub having a diameter that is sufficiently larger than an inside diameter of a center hole of the disk so that a friction engagement is established between the hub and the center hole when the disk is urged onto the hub.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the hub has a diameter of between about 15.2 and 15.4 millimeters.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the hub has a height of between about 7.9 and 8.1 millimeters.
 18. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising: a guide ring disposed within the base panel, the guide ring formed around a base of the hub and adapted to support a first portion of an underside of the disk when the disk is urged over the hub.
 19. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising: an intermediate ring disposed within the base panel, the intermediate ring formed concentrically with the guide ring and having a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the guide ring, the intermediate ring adapted to support a second portion of an underside of the disk when the disk is urged over the hub.
 20. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the hub has a height of approximately 8.0 millimeters and a diameter of approximately 15.3 millimeters. 